Category: Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York | May 21, 2026

The State of Qatar affirmed its continued efforts at the regional and international levels in the areas of conflict prevention and reduction, addressing root causes, mediation and peacebuilding, and humanitarian diplomacy, aimed at strengthening efforts to maintain international peace and security.

This came in a statement by the State of Qatar, delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations (UN) Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the Security Council’s open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, at the UN headquarters in New York.

Her Excellency explained that the annual discussion held again to highlight the urgent humanitarian and legal duty to protect civilians and to renew Qatar’s firm commitments under international humanitarian law, noting that the picture reflected in the Secretary-General’s report remains alarming, as the suffering of civilians, especially women and children, continues in the context of armed conflicts around the world, including the escalation of attacks on medical personnel and health facilities in clear violation of Security Council Resolution 2286 on the protection of health care in armed conflicts, whose tenth anniversary coincides with the holding of this discussion.

Her Excellency said that the current period is witnessing blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, and a continuous escalation of humanitarian and economic challenges, especially the disruption of maritime navigation through vital international corridors, particularly the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has negatively impacted civilian supply chains and energy and food markets, and contributed to rising prices of basic commodities, exacerbating food insecurity and increasing the burdens on fragile states and communities.

HE affirmed that the State of Qatar reiterates its position that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic of Iran constitutes a dangerous precedent and a clear violation of international law, as well as a direct threat to global security, supply chains, energy, and food. In this regard, the State of Qatar emphasizes the need to reopen the Strait, remove the naval mines, and stop imposing illegal fees on commercial vessels, to guarantee freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Security Council Resolution 522, and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, Her Excellency added.

In this context, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN reiterated the State of Qatar’s appreciation and support for the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all parties involved in mediation and good offices, stressing its support for mediation efforts aimed at ending the crisis through peaceful means.

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, May 20, 2026
The State of Qatar has renewed its call for stronger humanitarian diplomacy as a critical tool for safeguarding civilians in conflict zones during a high-level United Nation event in New York.

The event, organized on the sidelines of the Protection of Civilians Week 2026, was hosted by the State of Qatar’s permanent mission to the UN in partnership with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and several international partners, including the permanent missions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, the European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, the Qatar Red Crescent Society, the International Humanitarian Law Center, Geneva Call and Save the Children. 

It brought together diplomats and humanitarian organizations to discuss ways of improving civilian protection amid growing global crises.

In a recorded address, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad said humanitarian diplomacy remained central to Doha’s foreign policy, which she said was based on dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution and respect for international law.

Her Excellency described mediation as a cornerstone of Qatar’s approach, highlighting what she called an “integrated model” combining mediation efforts with rapid humanitarian response to improve aid access and support protection initiatives in complex conflict environments.

Dr Al Misnad said challenges facing civilian protection were no longer purely operational, but increasingly political, particularly regarding respect for international humanitarian law and the delivery of aid to affected populations.

Opening the event, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said humanitarian assistance was often obstructed while civilians continued to face attacks and violations of international humanitarian law.

Her Excellency warned that decisions concerning humanitarian corridors and aid delivery were frequently made far from realities on the ground, stressing the need for stronger political and diplomatic engagement at the highest levels.

Sheikha Alya said humanitarian diplomacy had become an essential tool for mobilizing political will and integrating humanitarian concerns into political and multilateral processes.

She also reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to mediation and humanitarian efforts in several regions, including joint initiatives in Gaza and support for peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

HE Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, urged the international community to use its political influence and diplomatic leverage to protect civilians, praising the State of Qatar’s partnership with OCHA. 

Source: Government of Qatar

Rome, May 20, 2026
The State of Qatar and the Italian Republic have held high-level talks focusing on bilateral cooperation and regional security, including efforts to maintain the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and reduce tensions across the Middle East.
HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi met on Wednesday in Rome with senior Italian officials, including HE Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi, HE Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and European Union Committee in the Chamber of Deputies, Giulio Tremonti, and HE Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Inter-group for the Gulf Countries at the Italian Parliament, Salvatore Caiata.
The meetings reviewed relations between the two countries and explored ways to strengthen cooperation across a range of areas.
Discussions also focused on developments in the region, particularly the ceasefire between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and reinforcing regional stability.
During the meetings, HE Dr Al Khulaifi reiterated the State of Qatar’s support for resolving conflicts through peaceful means and reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to promoting peace and stability at both regional and international levels. 

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

Source: Government of Qatar

London | May 20, 2026

The State of Qatar participated in the Global Partnerships Conference, held in London and co-hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa. 

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, represented the State of Qatar at the conference. 

The conference was attended by a number of senior officials, ministers, and heads of development and humanitarian organizations from around the world. 

The Minister of State for International Cooperation participated as a keynote speaker in the opening panel discussion moderated by HE Chief Economic Advisor to the UK Prime Minister, Baroness Nemat Shafik, pertaining to building systems to overcome challenges of the 21st century. This was addressed in two themes. 

The first theme addressed the profound changes in the current political and developmental environment, revealing structural imbalances in the existing international cooperation system, which is no longer adequate to address the scale of the crises, while the second theme explored the next decade and the fundamental changes required to recalibrate the international system. 

In the first session, Her Excellency reviewed Qatar’s pioneering experience and its globally recognized initiatives, emphasizing that Qatar places supporting the least developed countries at the forefront of its foreign policy. She highlighted the significant financial contributions and donations made by Qatar, including a USD 60 million grant to support development activities and capacity-building projects in these countries. 

Her Excellency stated that Qatar found itself at the crossroads of three simultaneous crises within a single year. These included mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of aid to the Strip, its efforts to reunite Ukrainian children with their families, and Qatar Fund for Development’s (QFFD) funding of more than 70 countries facing food, climate, and debt crises. 

She pointed out that the current international system has collapsed on the premise of separating humanitarian work from development and peace, highlighting that the assumption of a monopoly on international decision-making has crumbled. 

Gulf and Arab development funds, sovereign wealth funds, and regional mediators have become the cornerstones of the system’s continuity, she said, noting that Qatar alone provided USD 4.8 billion in foreign aid to the least developed countries in 2024. 

In this context, Her Excellency called for the swift translation of the financial commitments made at the Second Doha World Summit for Social Development into rapid, tangible results. 

Commenting on the next decade, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation presented a practical roadmap based on several key areas: transitioning from fragmented funding to national platforms led and owned by the recipient countries rather than the donors, enabling them to lead coordination, and urging the implementation of the Doha Action Plan. 

She emphasized the importance of financing social protection and human capital development as essential long-term infrastructure, citing the Education Above All Foundation’s experience in successfully enrolling over 16 million children in education across 60 countries. She called for the adoption of definitions that would enable these sectors to access concessional and blended financing tools, building upon the existing “From Seville to Doha” initiative in collaboration with Spain and the International Labour Organization. 

She further stressed the importance of including humanitarian mediation and ensuring humanitarian access as key enablers for the flow of development investments. Qatar’s investment in solidifying its role as a trusted mediator from Gaza to Afghanistan and Colombia, and its launch of the “Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative,” are all part of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy. 

Her Excellency affirmed Qatar’s full readiness to be an active and pivotal partner in translating these three pillars into tangible reality on the ground.

Source: Government of Qatar